The project will withdraw and reinsert over 100 teenage girls back to school in Kom where because of poverty, ignorance and hunger they drop out and end up as child workers in Cocoa and coffee farms so as to help their parents educate their brothers. This makes over 75 % of children here never to go past the sixth grade. A Common Future helps withdraw and reinsert them back in school, provide financial help, school needs, food and parental support so they stay in school till completion.
In Kom, Boyo Division people live on less than $1 a day.Over 80 % of parents are uneducated and so do not see the immediate need to educate their children, talk less of the girl-child they see as property and good only for early marriage. Even those who want to send children to school see their efforts frustrated the unaffordable school fees, text books, uniforms, and sometimes food. Most children, especially the girls drop out before the 4th grade and go to work in cocoa and coffee farms.
The project conducts education, withdrawal and reinsertion services in this community. We work to ease their financial burdens through the provision of school fees, texts books, uniforms and free meals so these children can stay in school till completion. A Common Future trains schools and parents on livelihood skills to be able to support these children. Sexual and reproductive health education is integrated into the trainings to curb early pregnancies, HIV and STIs and large families.
The program will provide support and a friendly-environment, especially the girl child to return and remain in school till completion or learn a trade after. By providing training workshops and counseling to children, parents and community schools alongside withdrawal and reinsertion, stakeholders will be equipped to continue to take care of these children even when the program most have ended. SRH knowledge will enable them make informed health and life choices including stay in school till end
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
